Electric Director ($115,502.40 and up)

JOB SUMMARY

Performs complex supervisory, administrative, and professional work in planning, organizing, directing, and supervising the Electric system, including acquisition, distribution, and maintenance of energy supply, projects, and programs. Assumes full management responsibility for the Electric function, plans and directs the operation and maintenance of electrical transmission and distribution services; oversees the operation and maintenance of electrical sub-stations.

 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position is responsible for the direct supervision over clerical, administrative, maintenance and professional staff assigned to the Covington Electric System.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, supervises and evaluates programs, plans, services, staffing, equipment and infrastructure of the electrical system.
• Evaluates electric system needs and formulates short- and long-range plans to meet needs in all areas of responsibility.
• Supervises the review of private project development plans for compliance with codes, regulations, and standards, adequacy of applications for permits, and compliance with approved plans.
• Determines applicable codes, regulations, and requirements for assigned projects.
• Oversees the preparation of engineering plans and specifications, bidding, competency of contractors and vendors, and the selection criteria for utilities contracts.
• Oversees project management for the construction of the municipal utilities’ projects. Oversees assigned projects to ensure contractor compliance with time and budget parameters for the project.
• Oversees the maintenance of infrastructure and other records.
• Responds to public or other inquiries relative to department policies and procedures. Evaluates issues and options regarding municipal utilities and makes recommendations.
• Maintains regular contact with consulting engineers, construction project engineers, City, County, State and Federal agencies, professional and technical groups and the general public regarding division activities and services.
• Monitors inter-governmental actions affecting utilities works.
• Participates with other agencies in the procurement, scheduling and delivery of power, and energy to the City.
• Advises the City Manager in all matters relevant to the electric service provided by the City of Covington.
• Provides general direction for all work related to the design, engineering, construction, maintenance, and operation of the Electric Utility Department’s facilities, and for the design of electric rates, structure, and analysis.
• Establishes, within City policy, appropriate service and staffing levels; monitors and evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures; allocates resources accordingly.
• Assesses and monitors workload, administrative and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities for improvement; directs and implements changes.
• Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate level managerial staff, the Electric Utility Department’s work plan; assigns projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; reviews and evaluates work methods and procedures; meets with key staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Selects, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; provides or coordinates staff training; works with employees to correct deficiencies; implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Develops and administers the department budget; approves the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; prepares electrical rates, fees, and charges; approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate and necessary to meet the end result.
• Provides staff assistance and support to the City Manager; prepares, reviews, and presents staff reports including those for City Council meetings; prepares and/or reviews written correspondence on a variety of City programs and projects including current and long-range electrical projects.
• Acts as the City’s primary interface with other electric utilities and for providing technical and financial information for participation on State or Federal regulatory or legislative energy matters in which the City has an interest.
• Explains, justifies, and defends department programs, policies, and activities; negotiates and resolves sensitive and controversial issues.
• Participates on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; interfaces with regulatory agencies.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of utilities.
• Assists in the training of city personnel in utilities, systems and techniques.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

(A) Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. A Master’s degree or a P.E. certification is highly desirable; and

(B) Minimum of ten (10) years of increasingly responsible experience in electrical engineering and management positions in the electric utility industry including at least five (5) years of management and administrative responsibility.

(C) Candidates who do not meet all minimum qualifications may be considered if they demonstrate equivalent experience, skills, or competencies that indicate the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the position

 

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of electric utility equipment application; electric system operation; engineering design and standards; and resource planning.
• Electrical engineering theory and principles of electric power transmission and distribution;
• Operations, services, and activities of a municipal electric utility program.
• Concepts, theories, principles, and practices of electric utility administration.
• Principles and practices of program development and administration.
• Business practices and financial systems and reporting.
• Principles and practices of municipal budget preparation and administration.
• Principles of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes, and regulations including laws and regulations related to electric utility systems.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Principles and practices of project management, administration and coordination.
• Modern methods, tools, equipment, materials, and work practices utilized in utility operations.
• Types and level of maintenance and repair activities generally performed in a utilities department.
• Geography and utilities systems of the City.
• Principles of business letter writing and report preparation.
• Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets and databases.
• Principles and capabilities of GIS systems.
• Operating the listed tools and equipment.
• Provide the leadership and management of the department through coaching, enabling and facilitating employees working in a team environment;
• Prepare budget estimates;
• Read blueprints, electrical schematics; charts and graphs;
• Create a culture that is conducive to change and that is one that is capable to select, recruit, retain, develop and motivate a skilled and talented workforce where everyone knows their mission, role, and job;
• Establish clear goals and objectives in order to create an organization that delivers excellent customer service through ethical leadership standards, establishes an atmosphere of respect for employees consistent with the City’s mission and values;
• Build constructive relationships by promoting effective partnerships with department peers, bargaining units, employees, citizens, and others contacted in the course of work;
• Represent and speak for the department and its work, e.g., presenting, explaining, promoting, defining, and negotiating to those within and outside the department by making clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals and partnering public agencies and groups, by listening effectively and clarifying information and by facilitating an open exchange of ideas;
• Prepare clear, complete, accurate, concise, and logical written and oral reports;
• Effectively handle multiple priorities, organize workload for self and others, and meet strict deadlines;
• Ensure compliance with complex legal environmental and code requires;
• Work in a team-based environment to achieve common goals;
• Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Develop and provide public information regarding rate increases to City Council and community at large;
• Exercise good judgment in structuring and organizing work and setting priorities, and readily readjusting priorities to respond to current and future needs.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must possess a valid State driver’s license or have the ability to obtain one prior to employment;

 

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheet, and data base; motor vehicle; phone; radio; fax and copy machine.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed mostly in office settings. Some outdoor work is required in the inspection of various land use developments, construction sites, or public works facilities. Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

 

The City of Covington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.